Interesting news story, for what it says about running scared:
| U.S. soldier riddles Koran with bullets in Iraq
An American soldier has been disciplined and ordered from Iraq, the U.S. military said on Sunday, for using a copy of the Koran for target practice at a shooting range near Baghdad. […] CNN said when Major-General Jeffery Hammond, the commander of U.S. troops in Baghdad, and other officers arrived to deliver the apology to local leaders in Radwaniya they were met by hundreds of protesting Sunni Arab tribesmen. “I am a man of honor, I am a man of character. You have my word this will never happen again,” Hammond told the crowd. “In the most humble manner, I look into your eyes today and I say, please forgive me and my soldiers,” CNN reported on its website. It said Colonel Ted Martin, a brigade commander, held up a new copy of the Koran which he kissed and touched to his forehead as he handed it to the tribal elders. “I hope that you’ll accept this humble gift,” Martin said. |
And for what it says about representing one’s country.
Which of the above three men accurately represented the United States?
(Oh, Mr. Hammond — Do you realize your statement above could seem to suggest that you authorized the incident for which you are issuing a No-Repeat guarantee?)
But far more importantly to me, am I an accurate representation of the Kingdom of Heaven?
When I as a Christian take the name of Christ, am I portraying an accurate representation of my King?
I think this story is tragic for what it says about the US…and for the ill it portends for this country.
But I think that’s far less tragic than Mark Roth (and you?) being a poor representative of and ambassador for Jesus Christ.